Back in December of 1976, as a young ex-serviceman,
I found myself in a line of 30 job applicants
outside the trailer at a New Hampshire ski
condo development. Jobs were scarce that year,
so I was disappointed but not surprised when
the super stepped out and said, "Thanks for coming
by, men; we're all set." But my spirits rose again when he
paused and said, "Unless any of you are first-rate stair men."
My grandfather and father had taught me to build stairs as
a kid, and now it was paying off. Out of the shivering crowd,
only I and the guy right behind me stepped up — and